Using a grant from Markertek owner Mark Braunstein, Neumann transformed 40 sheets of plywood and other materials into two identical sculptures called "Love Knots." Each red, heart-shaped sculpture, with an infinity symbol at the base and a tear drop at the apex of the heart, will be installed in the communities, and each will direct visitors to its twin. (Neumann said the tear drop shape in the sculptures represents how "there's always a touch of sadness in every happiness.")

The base of each sculpture forms a love seat of sorts, Neumann said, and visitors will be encouraged to sit on them. He cautioned, though, that visitors should be careful not to scratch the pieces.

"This is about communities," Neumann said Wednesday in his Double Take Studio at 42 Livingston St. in the village of Saugerties. "This is about the cultural connection that the two communities have."

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Work on the love knots began in the summer of 2011, Neumann said. He said the project came about because he "nagged" Braunstein until the businessman agreed to fund the project.

Neumann said it took about three months just to cut out the heart-shaped layers, which then were glued together.

This is not the first time Neumann's art has encouraged interaction by viewers. He also responsible for the large picture frames located at Kingston Point Beach, the Saugerties beach and Woodstock. The "Fifteen Minutes of Frame" pieces encourage people to view the world around them but also picture their place within it.

The Saugerties love knot will be installed at 3 p.m. May 4 at the corner of Main and Market streets in the village. The Woodstock love knot will be installed at 3 p.m. May 11 on the lawn of Marie's Bazaar on state Route 212 at Maple Lane. Members of the Saugerties and Woodstock arts communities will take part in the unveilings, and local officials will be invited.

Neumann said he eventually would like to have a love knot in each community in Ulster County.